Shocking News from Hebron this morning

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Wednesday April 30, 2008 10:19

by Justin Morahan

Israeli army evicting the orphans by stealth

Members of a brave Christian Peacemakers team, hoping by their sleep-in to prevent the threatened eviction of the orphans in an Orphanage in Hebron, were helpless this morning as about 40 Israeli soldiers raided the workshop of the Orphanage, terrorising the children there and carrying away all of its equipment worth about €28,000.

The raid happened at 1.00 a.m. when the soldiers, on orders from Major General Shemni, looted the workshop and removed all of its sewing and processing machines, office equipment, rolls of cloth, finished clothing and supplies.

The orphanage had been threatened with closure on April 1st but still remains open after strong international protest. and the sleep-in by non-violent actiivists have prevented the army from leaving the children homeless.

Now it appears that the Israeli army is trying to achieve their aim by stealth. Having last week destroyed the bakery supplying the orphenage, they issued a number of statements threatening the looting that happened this morning. Now they have carried out the looting. There may be some more protest but the original purpose is being slowly achieved.

In spite of numerous calls to stop this vandalism by the Israeli Army, there is no end in sight. Under the pretence that the shops and businesses destroyed and closed down are under the umbrella of Hamas, the army goes relentlessy on. The orphanage has been targetted for months but as yet not fully sacked.

As this morning's press release remarks: "How can grown men do this to little children?"

Israeli Embassy contact:: ambsec@dublin.mfa.gov.il

See also: http://hebronorphans.blogspot.com/2008/04/thousands-of-....html

Comments (2 of 2)

This morning's press release

Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:38

Press Release: Christian Peacemaker Team in Hebron

For Immediate Release: Wednesday 30, April, 2008 3:30 am

CPT Contacts: office 011-972-(0)2 222 8485
Paul Rehm 011-972-(0) -54-432-8529;
Mary Anne Grady Flores 011-972-(0)59-802-7301,
Email:cptheb@palnet.com,

http://www.hebronorphans.blogspot.com
RAIDED - Hebron Girls Orphanage Sewing Workshop

HEBRON At 1:00 am this morning, April 30th, the Israeli Military raided the Hebron Girls' Orphanage near the intersection of Salaam and Al Adel (Peace and Justice) Streets. Acting on orders issued by Major General Shemni, soldiers looted the workshop of all its sewing and processing machines, office equipment, rolls of cloth, finished clothing and supplies. CPT members documented, with still photos and video, approximately 40 Israeli soldiers emptying the workshop contents into 2 - 40ft. trucks. The estimated value of the physical material taken is $45,000 US. The cost in terms of the fear and terror instilled in the hearts of the little girls living above the workshop is much higher.

Members of Christian Peacemaker Teams and other internationals from Belgium, Britain, Canada, Germany, Holland, Scotland and the US have been sleeping in the orphanage. Their concern is for the children who live in fear of the military forcing them out of the place they've come to call home. Their hope last night was that their presence would forestall the army's raid on the workshop. They hoped in vain. CPT's Art Arbour decried this latest effort by the Israeli military in its campaign to close the orphanages, "How can grown men do this to little children?" CPT members documented with still photos 40 Israeli soldiers clearing out the workshop

Statements of support for the orphans have come in from former President Jimmy Carter, from EU Vice President Luisa Morgentini and from representatives of many international organizations worried about the fate of the orphans in Hebron. Please join with them in supporting the orphans.

Phone 972-(0)2- 222-8485 or e-mail cptheb@palnet.com to learn more.

Call President Bush, Prime Minister Olmert and the Israeli Military. Contact #'s are on

http://www.hebronorphans.blogspot.com

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an ecumenical initiative to support violence reduction efforts around the world. To learn more about CPT's peacemaking work, visit our website www.cpt.org Photos of our projects are at www.cpt.org/gallery.

--
Mary Anne Grady Flores
Ithaca Catholic Workers
West Bank, Palestine
059-802-7301 Jawaal cell
054-258-1392 Orange cell

e-mail to President Bush

Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:35

just sent to :comments@whitehouse.gov
(You will receive an automatic reply even while they sleep)

Dear President Bush

THE HORRIFYING STORIES EMERGING FROM THE WEST BANK IN PALESTINE FROM EARLY THIS MORNING DEMAND ACTION FROM ALL WHO SUPPORT THIS ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

I AM CALLING ON YOU AS A HUMAN BEING TO PHONE PRIME MINISTER OLMERT AND ADVISE HIM TO STOP THE INTIMIDATION OF THE ORPHANS IN HEBRON WHERE 40 SOLDIERS LOOTED THEIR WORKSHOP AROUND 1 A.M.

SINCE MARCH A CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKERS TEAM HAVE BEEN SLEEPING IN THE ORPHANAGE TO PROTECT THESE GIRLS FROM TERROR AND EVICTION

Justin Morahan